Can-labeling machine



No. 6l2,825. Patented Oct. 25. I898. E. W. CORNELL.

CAN LABELING MACHINE.

(Application filed Feb. 20. 1897.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets--She et l.

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N0. 6l2,825. Patented Oct. 25, I898. E. W. CORNELL.

CAN LABELING MACHINE.

(Application filetl Feb. 20, 1897.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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N0. 6i2,825. Patented Oct. 25, I898. E. "W. CORNELL.

CAN LABELING MACHINE.

(Application filed Feb. 20, 1897.)

3 Sheets-8heet 3.

No Model.)

WITNESSES ,n-u: Nomns Pawns co. Pumo-u-rua. WASHINGTON, n. c.

UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EVANNV. CORNELL, OF ADRIAN, MICHIGAN.

CAN-LABELING MACHINE.

.SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 612,825, dated October 25, 1898.

Application filed February 20, 1897- Serial No. 624,370. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LEVAN W. O0RNELL,a citizen of the United States, residing at Adrian,in the county of Lenawee, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Labeling Machines; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in can-labeling machines; and it consists of the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out particularly in the claims.

The objects of the invention are to provide simple and effective means for passing the cans through the machine, so that cans of varying lengths shall be at all times maintained parallel with the edges of the label to insure the placing of the label straight upon the can; to provide for feeding the labels to the rolling cans intern1ittently,so as to insure the picking up by the can of but one label at a time; to provide for feeding indented cans in such manner as to insure a perfect adhesion of the label thereto, and to provide for pressing the lap end of the label, so as to effect a perfect adhesion thereof. These objects are obtained by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved machine, a portion of the frame being broken away to more clearly show the arrangement of parts. Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective of two of the spring-actuated wings, a series a of which are located in the runway of the machine,which accommodate various lengths of cans and serve to hold said cans at all times in contact with a fixed guide-rail on the opposite side of said way. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective of an angle-pawl forming a part of the label-feeding mechanism. Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a transverse section as on line 5 5 of Fig. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail, partly in section, showing one of the bearing-blocks in which the springactuated guide-wings are journaled. Fig. 7 is an inverted plan of the follower or bottom of the label-receptacle. Fig. 8 is a perspec tive of a portion of the chute through which the cans are fed to the machine, showing means for spacing the cans so as to insure a proper application of the label to an indented can. Fig. 9 is an enlarged detailof the labelretaining device carrying an actuated knife which serves to release the labels as rapidly as they are picked up by the rolling cans. Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail of the ratchetwheel and drum forming a part of the labelfeeding mechanism hereinafter explained. Fig. 11 is a side elevation of one of the detainin g-knives and operative means shown in Fig. 9.

Referring to the letters of reference, A designates a frame of any suitable construction carrying the operative mechanism of the machine. Mounted upon said frame are a series of uprights b, which support the can-runway. Communicating with said runway at the feeding end of the machine is an inclined chute B, in which the cans are fed to the machine, the cans being carried through said runway by means of a traveling belt, (shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1,) which engages the upper arc of the cans and rolls them along the runway in a manner well understood in the art.

The principle of operation of this machine is the same as that disclosed in my prior patent, No. 514,705, dated February 13, 1894, in which a glue-depositing rotative roller located in the path of the cans and over which the cans pass as they travel along the runway applies glue to a portion of the arc of the can in such manner that the label is caused to adhere to said glued portion as the can continues its passage through the machine, the can picking up the label in its passage and winding it thereon and pasting down the lap of the label before being discharged from the runway. The means of applying paste to the lap end of the label being fully set forth in the above-mentioned patent requires no further mention here.

A serious difficulty in the operation of ma chines constructed according to the abovementioned patent lies in the fact that there is considerable variation in the length of cans even among those that are supposed to be of a uniform size, which would result in a can of unusual length sticking in the runway and choking the machine and would permit a shorter can which did not fill the space between the opposed guide-rails to become twisted, so that it would pass over the labelreceptacle at an angle to the edges of the label, so that the label would wind spirally upon the can and project over one end thereof.

To provide for accommodating the variationin the length of the cans and for presenting said cans squarely to the labels in the receptacle, so that the label will wind onto the cans parallel to the ends thereof, 1 provide a fiXed guide-rail C at one side of the can-runway and which is properly adjusted with reference to one edge of the label-receptacle D, which is located in said runway. The cans in their travel through the machine rest at each end upon the opposed rails 0 of the runway and are confined between the fixed rail 0 on one side and the series of hinged wings E on the opposite side, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. These wings, as shown in Fig. 2, are provided with trunnions d at their opposite ends, which are journaled in the bearing-blocks E, supported, by means of screwbolts 6, from the cap-rail F, said blocks having a U-shaped recess 6 therein, which receives the trunnions of said wings and in which said trunnions are confined by said plate F. Extending from the face of said blocks E and secured therein by a set-screw e are curved springs b, which bear against the back or outer face of said wings and are supported upon a ledge 0', formed on said wings near their lower edge. These springs serve to hold said wings yieldingly in place and are so set that the lower edge of said wings shall stand inward, so that the inner face thereof is slightly inclined. These wings are so set as to stand in the same plane and form one of the guide-rails of the runway against which the can bears in its passage through the machine. The inclined face of said wings tends to keep the cans forced against the opposite rail 0, and because of the yielding of said wings any variation in the length of the cans is compensated for, whereby the cans are always held parallel to the labels over which they pass, insuring the placing of the labels straight upon the cans. Another feature of importance resides in the fact that said wings are independent of one another and located some distance apart, whereby but one can is in engagement with any one of said wings at any time, so that an unusually long or an unusually short can passing through the machine does not in any sense affect the cans preceding or following it, and all cans are alike held straight with the runway, insuring a perfect attachment of the labels thereto.

To provide for pressing the lap end of the label tightly upon the can, so as to insure a perfect adhesion thereof, there is employed a pad consisting of a series of bowed springblades f, which are located at the tail of the runwayand upon which is mounted a covering of leather f, extending onto said springs from each end. The opposed ends of said leather covering terminate some distance apart, and interposed between said ends and distant therefrom is a pad of rubber f,which is located at the highest point on said pad and is so timed or spaced with relation to the labelreceptacle that the lap of the label as the can rolls along strikes upon said rubber,whereby it is firmly pressed onto the can. The flexibility of the series of springs forming said pad or table allows it to conform to any uneven surface of the can, whereby the labels are perfectly pressed into place.

It often occurs that the cans to be labeled become deeply indented, so much so as to destroy the contour of their periphery. Therefore should it chance in the passage of the can through the machine that this dented portion encounters the glue-roller G the glue would not be deposited in said indentation nor would said can properly pick up the label when passing over the label-receptacle. To obviate this difficulty, I employ at the feed end of the machine a device for spacing the dented cans so as to insure their true surfaces encountering the glue'roller and the initial end of the labels. This spacing device consists of an inclined table, as shown in Fig. 8, which may form the base of the chute B and upon which is a fixed rail B and two adjustable guide-rails O and C, respectively. These guide-rails serte ordinarily to convey the cans to the runway of the machine, be tween which the cans are adapted to roll down said inclined table; but when an indented can is encountered it is placed upon said table with its dented face downward and is entered into the chute transversely through the open space B between said adjustable rails,which opening is so spaced with respect to the glueroller that an indented can entered in the chute through said opening with the indenture downward will, upon rolling down said chute, arrive at the glue-roller in a position to present the perfect portion of its surface thereto,whereby the glue is properly applied to the periphery of the can, and the label as the can proceeds onward is properly picked up by said glued surface and wound thereon.

The label-receptacle D is preferably rectangular in form and is provided with'an adjustable bottom or follower, an inverted plan of which is shown in Fig. 7. This follower consists of three independent parts consisting of two adjustable side pieces II and a fixed center piece 11'. Attached to said center piece at each end is a cross-strip h, having slots 2' in the ends thereof, through which passes a screw k, which lies freely in said slot and screws into the ends of the side pieces H, whereby said side pieces may be adjusted with respect to said center piece, so as to accommodate the various sizes of labels. There is an open space between the side pieces and said center piece of the follower, and crossing said opening and entering the opposed edges of said pieces are a series of coiled springs 11, which serve to force said side pieces outward, so as to cause said follower to perfectly fill the interior of the label-receptacle. This follower forms a movable bottom in the labelreceptacle, and attached to a plate I on the under face thereof is a vertically-movable standard I, which extends downward through a suitable guide I, and has attached to its lower end one end of a flexible strap m, the opposite end of which is attached to a segment m, carried on the end of aweighted lever J, which is pivoted to a bracket .I, depending from the frame of the machine. The weight .I, carried by said lever, exerts an upward thrust upon the standard 1, carrying said follower, and serves to feed the labels lying thereon upward in the label-receptacle as they are used in their application to the cans. To regulate this feeding of the labels andprevent them from being forced upward too rapidly in the label-receptacle by means of the weighted lever J, there is employed an intermittent ratchet-feed, which controls the upward movement of the follower in the label-receptacle and which is actuated by the rolling cans. This intermittent feed arrangement consists of a ratchet-wheel K, mounted upon a shaft K, journaled in the machine and carrying the adjacent drums L.

and L, respectively, around which are wound in opposite directions the respective cords 0 and 0. To the cord 0 is attached a Weight 0, while the the cord 0 passes downward under a sheave p, journaledin the frame, thence upward,and attaches to the under side of the follower or movable bottom of the label-receptacle. Pivotally mounted adjacent to said ratchet-wheel K is a pawl or detent M, which is made to engage the teeth of said ratchet and is provided with a right-angled end portion m, which projects into the path of the rolling cans, whereby the pawl is tripped to release said ratchet-wheel. and permit an intermittent rotation thereof. This rotation of the ratchet-wheel when released by said detent M is caused by the gravity of the weighted lever acting upon the movable bottom of the label-receptacle, which draws upon the cord 0 attached theretoand to the drum L of said ratchet. The detent when released drops into the succeeding tooth of the ratchet-wheel, permitting the movable bottom of the label-receptacle to travel upward the distance only equal to the space between the teeth of said ratchet. As the drums L and L of said ratchet are rotated by the unwinding of the cord 0 from the drum L the cord 0, attached to the weight 0", is wound upon the drum L, the purpose of which weight 0 is to keep a sufficient strain upon the parts to hold them in proper position.

To confine the labels within the receptacle and at the same time permit them to be detached from the bunch one at a time by the rolling cans, there are employed the actuated detaining-knives 0", which extend into the label-receptacle on opposite sides and near the forward end thereof and are adapted to engage the margin of the uppermost labels on their outer edges. The blade of the knife, being wedge shape, cuts through the edge of the label, which is still held in place by the bevel of the blade until picked up by the paste upon the passing can. These knives are mounted on a pivoted arm N, which is mounted in a bracket 0, secured to the side of the label-receptacle, the forward end of said arm having a right-angled portion s,which extends into the path of the rolling cans, whereby as the cans pass along the runway they strike upon the right-angled end of said arm, slightly depressing saidarm and cans ing the knife 0", carried therein, to cut through the uppermost label, so as to free it that it may be picked up and rolled on to the succeeding can passing over the label-receptacle.

By these arrangements it will now be understood that the labels are fed upward intermittently in the label-receptacle against the detaining-knives, which while retaining the labels within said receptacle permiteach succeeding label to bereadily detached from the bunch by the cans in their passage through themachine. The intermittent feed of the labels prevents them from being crowded against the knives, and the actuation of said knives insures a free and consecutive discharge of the labels from the receptacle.

Having thus fully set forth my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a can-labeling machine, the combination of the can-runway having on one side a fixed continuous guide-rail, and an opposed guide-rail consisting of independent yielding sections.

2. In a can-labelin g machine, the combination of the can-runway having a fixed guiderail, the opposed guide-rail consisting of a series of independent spring-actuated wings, and means for carrying the cans through-said way.

3. In a can-labeling machine, the combination with the gluing and labeling mechanism, of the can-runway having a stationary guide rail, the opposed guide-rail of said way consisting of a series of independent sections pivoted at their upper edge and adapted to swing inward at their lower edge and having a series of springs for retaining them yield-i ingly in place.

4. In a can-labeling machine, the combination with the pasting and label-applying mechanism, of the can-runway having a stationary guide-rail, and an opposed flexible guide rail consisting of a series of pivoted ways located distant from each other and journaled at their upper edges in interposed bearingblocks, and a series of springs secured to said blocks and engaging the rear face of said wings.

5. In a can-labeling machine, the combination with the can-runway and the glue-roller, of the chute in which the cans are fed to the machine, said chute having a divided guiderail on one side forming an opening between said divisions through which indented cans may be placed in said chute, said divided portions of the rail being adjustable so as to regulate the distance of the opening between them and the glue-roller to insure a proper position of the indented cans over said roller substantially as set forth.

6. Ina can-labeling machine, the combination with the can-runway and the label-receptacle located therein, the movable follower or bottom of said receptacle consisting of a series of laterally-adjustable spring-actuated sections substantially as set forth.

7. In a can-labeling machine, the combina tion with the can-runway, the label-receptacle therein, the movable bottom of said receptacle, the weighted lever for raising said bottom, the pawl-and-ratchet mechanism for restraining the upward movement of said bottom, said pawl extending into the path of the cans whereby it is adapted to be tripped by the cans passing through the machine to release said ratchet and impart an intermittent feed to the labels in said receptacle.

8. In a can-labeling machine, the combination with the can-runway, the label-receptacle therein, the upwardly-actuated bottom in said receptacle, the ratchet and drums on the shaft of said ratchet, the cords winding around said drums in opposite directions one of the rolling cans.

9. In a can-labeling machine, the combination of the can-runway, of the label-receptacle therein, the pivoted angle-arms carrying knives which extend into said receptacle and engage the opposite edges of the uppermost labels, the angle portion of said arms extending into the path of the rolling cans distant from said knives.

10. In a can-labeling machine,the combination with the can-runway, the label-receptacle therein, the detaining-knives extending into said receptacle and engaging the edges of the uppermost labels, the movable arms carrying said knives, said arms projecting above the plane of the can-runway whereby the rolling can engages said arms and depresses said knives.

11. In a can-labeling machine,the combination with the can-runway, of the pasting and label-applyin g machanism, the series of elliptical springs located in the .tail of said runway, the flexible covering over the end of said springs terminating distant from the center thereof, and the pad of rubber or analogous substance mounted on said springs between the ends of said covering.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EVAN W. CORNELL.

Witnesses:

D. B. MORGAN, FRED H. KNAPP.

Correction inleiters Patent No. 632,825.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent N 0. 612,825, granted October 25, 1898, upon the application of Evan W. Cornell, of Adrian, Michigan, for an improvement in Oan-Lahe1ing Machines, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction, as follows: In line 63, page 4, the Word mechanism should read mechanism; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed, counter-signed, and sealed this 17th day of January, A. D., 1899.

[SEAL] WEBSTER DAVIS,

Assistant Secretary of the Interior. Oountersigned O. H. DUELL,

Commissioner of Patents.

D i sela imer in Leiiers Pate N5 2 25 DISCLAIMER.

612,825.-Evan W. Cornell, Adrian, Mich. CAN-LABELING MACHINE. Patent dated October 25, 1898. Disclaimer filed January 25,1909, by the assignee, the Westmintew Deposit (52 Trust Co. Enters this disclaimer fAs to that part of the claims in the said specification which is in the following words, to wit:

fIn a can-labeling machine, the combination with a can-runway and the labelreceptacle located therein, the movable follower or bottom of said receptacle consisting of 'a series of laterally-adjustable spring-actuated sections, substantially as set forth. [Oflicial Gazette, February 2, 1.909.] 

